Companies Are Treating The Animals We Will Ultimately Consume

In America, our everyday lives tend to revolve around our food choices. The average consumer veers towards the quick and easy food options. Without prior knowledge, an individual could be consuming contaminated meat products that were produced on a factory farm. Since the 1960’s, factory farming has accounted for over 99% of the meat sold in the United States (Zacharias, 2011). The move towards large, factory farms saves meat industry millions of dollars a day. These farms pose a huge risk to public health and environmental safety. Currently, four major companies produce 85% of all the beef in the United States (Bernice, 2014). It is important to examine how these companies are treating the animals we will ultimately consume. Knowing what these animals are fed, the conditions they are kept in and the effect that these factory farms have on the environment is essential for our health. But are there other options other than Big Ag corporations? Smaller, family owned farms might be the key to better nutrition and a smaller, ecofriendly footprint. Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) are defined as agricultural operations where animals are kept and raised in confined situations (Foundation). The EPA estimates that there are over 450,000 CAFOs in the United States (Humane Society). These operations can hold over 100,000 chickens, 10,000 pigs or 1,000 cattle. Factory farming is a relatively recent development in food production. The introduction of antibiotics andShow MoreRelatedAntibiotics Are Used By Millions Of People Every Day, Myself1587 Words   |  7 Pages Antibiotics are used by millions of people every day, myself included. Their uses include a wide variety of circumstances like treating common colds or battling infections during surgeries. The versatility of the antibiotic also happens to be its greatest downfall. 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